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The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a VTC intervention by Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, who updated his EU counterparts on the latest developments both politically and on the ground.
It is clear that all the EU member states want peace. […] And yet we are seeing that Russia wants war because we saw the deadliest attack just yesterday, and Sumy airstrikes over the weekend. It is clear that they are stalling and do not want peace at all. So the only way to get Russia to negotiate seriously is, increasing pressure.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The Council discussed enhanced EU military support. The High Representative stressed that the EU is the biggest provider of military aid to Ukraine, but also the greatest supporter of the Ukrainian defence industry, as European countries have so far committed over €23 billion for military aid to Ukraine this year.
The Council also touched on the training of Ukrainian soldiersthrough EUMAM Ukraine, which has so far trained over 73,000 soldiers. The Council discussed what more can be done when it comes to the mission.
As to the High Representative’s initiative on delivering 2 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine, the High Representative announced that two thirds of the target had already been reached, and that a large majority of member states agreed that the EU needed to do more.
Lastly, the Council examined the state of play of sanctions against Russia, and the High Representative announced that work has started on a 17th package of sanctions focusing on the shadow fleet and other elements.
The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Middle East, including developments in Syria.
The High Representative updated ministers about her recent visit to the region, and the discussions held there on the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan.
What all member states agree on is that we support the Two-State solution. We have also proposed €1.6 billion over three years in support for the Palestinian Authority, who should be the one providing services, and to the Palestinians.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The High Representative underlined that the overall situation is very grave and going back to the negotiation table is of paramount importance in order to allow for the resumption of the ceasefire, the release of the hostages and unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza.
The High Representative said that the Council welcomed the Arab Plan, but stressed that it lacked important elements such as funding, security and the governance of Gaza, and that the EU would work with its international partners to take work further on these topics.
The Council then had a discussion on Syria and notably whether to go on or not with the easing of the EU sanctions. In this context the High Representative announced that the Council agreed to evaluate the process, but also to work to propose next steps, keeping in mind conditionalities and well known EU red lines.
The Foreign Affairs Council held a discussion on the relations between the EU and the African Union (AU), whose partnership celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025.
The High Representative stressed that all EU member states wanted more engagement with the African countries, and that it was important not to lose them to any outside influence, like Russia or China. She also touched on the upcoming 3rd EU-AU ministerial meeting scheduled for 21 May in Brussels, and said that the Council discussed what deliverables it can bring to that table.
The Council then discussed the situation in Sudan, which is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis two years after the beginning of the war. The discussion touched on the humanitarian situation and the conference co-hosted by the EU, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, which will take place in London on 15 April
Western Balkans
The Council exchanged views on the EU relations with Western Balkan partners, focusing on how to further enhance security and defence cooperation in the face political challenges, and how to promote regional stability and security. The EU 27 debate took place after the informal dinner with Western Balkans Foreign Affairs Ministers on the eve of the Council.
The High Representative stressed that the stability and security of the region is essential to the EU.
The Council held a discussion on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, and confirmed the need for a normalisation of the relations between Serbia and Kosovo*
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
Other decisions
The Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional seven individuals and two entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran, including for the use of the judiciary as a tool for arbitrary detention.
The Council reviewed the EU framework for arms export control, by adopting a decision amending the Council’s Common Position defining common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment, and approving conclusions on the matter.
The Council increased the financial reference amount for EU BAM Rafah by over €4 300 000 until 30 June 2025. This decision will allow to cover for the additional costs resulting from the redeployment of the mission to the Rafah Border Crossing Point, which was authorised in January 2025 as a consequence of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
